Great Chatwell Academy Reviews 

I completed the virtual fraud risk management compliance certificate in December 2025. It took about 7 hours which felt like a good amount of time. Although the content is pre-recorded, it felt like I was in the room with the presenters, and the informal tone and interaction between Lee and Kath made it very engaging. The content was bang up to date too.

A thorough and well thought package drawn from industry experts and the topics relatable to emerging issues and challenges of MLROs. The resource and support provided throughout the programme was effective and satisfying.

I completed Customer Risk & CDD – Compliance Certificate course. The course is very interesting, well-presented and engaging. Very useful information on how to use Open Sources to learn new ways to verify information online. Case studies included in the course provide practical application of the theoretical knowledge. I would certainly recommend this course.

I completed the online course in Fraud Risk Management. The presenters Lee Byrne and Kath Burgess-Gould were knowledgeable and experienced, their delivery was thoughtful and engaging and the materials provided were well-presented and informative. The practical recommendations on developing and embedding an effective fraud risk management programme were clear and helpful. I would certainly recommend completing this course with Great Chatwell Academy to any financial crime practitioner.

Fantastic learning experience.The role of the MLRO and Nominated Officer require specialist learning and support programmes and this course does that. The course isn't about accrediting you to undertake the role but the clue is in the title, it accelerates you to be able to perform the role to add value and perform the role to the next level, encourage and supporting effectiveness.
The content was very well thought out, covering not just specifics to the subject of FCC but how to undertake the role and how you can be effective. All of the guest speakers/ presenters were experts in their field - this was complemented by the excellent facilitation of the guys from GCAL. I genuinely looked forward to joining the dynamic course for each session. Highly recommended.

The Diploma was a very valuable learning experience for me. I was able to gain an enhanced and comprehensive understanding of financial crime compliance. The course content was well structured and presented clearly and concisely.

This Diploma consists of 10 day-long sessions spread over approximately a year. Essential pre-course reading is provided before each session, covering different areas of financial crime compliance (e.g. AML, Tax Evasion, Fraud, Bribery and Corruption) with a 60-minute closed book exam to pass at the end of each session.

Lee Byrne is very experienced and knowledgeable, and the hands-on sessions online with a regular cohort of students helped reinforce what I have learned. Attendees ranged from MLROs, Deputy MLROs and audit functions.

Overall, this diploma is very valuable, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their knowledge and expertise in the field of financial crime compliance.

A well-presented course over 10 units starting in March and finishing ion December with plenty of literature provided and presented by Lee Byrne with very knowledgeable guest speakers. I learnt so much from the 10 units and reaffirmed existing knowledge. You do need to put the prep work prior to each workshop as there is a closed book exam at the end of each one. Well worth the time and effort.

Just finished this 10 month course which covered a wide range of key Financial Crime topics. Not only did this include the expected elements and topics, it also included really interesting and informative modules on Trade Finance and Crypto Assets, something certainly for the future.
The module sessions which were held on Zoom were really well managed and presented in an excellent way. A range of key speakers along the way only added to the course.
You cannot get away from the fact that there was a large amount of reading to be completed, which certainly needed to be done as the module assessments covered numerous elements in the reading material but given the complexity of the subject this was expected.
If you are looking to gain a qualification in Financial Crime that will benefit you now and going forward, I would suggest you take a look at this, you wont regret it.

GCAL provides the most relevant compliance training on the market. The trainings are well informed, up to date, very engaging and practical. Guest speakers on programmes have an incredible breadth of experience and knowledge. You get to exchange experiences with your peers and take away ideas for your own practice. These programmes get you thinking deeply about your day to day and take aways can be applied immediately. If you are a senior compliance professional or MLRO it is a must to do a GCAL training programme. It is a very enriching experience.

Having had the privilege to attend the Financial Crime Compliance (AML) Diploma and the MLRO Accelerator Course, I am a big fan of Great Chatwell Academy. The training programmes are well organised and are attentive to our professional needs, they teach not just the theory but also how to apply it, and the practical aspect of both courses is absolutely invaluable. In addition, Lee Byrne has a wonderful teaching style that is engaging and thought provoking and the he always manages to deliver a panel of presenters, all masters in the own areas of expertise that brings the course to another level. Thoroughly enjoyable and highly recommended.

Having just completed the final session of this wonderful course, I thought I would reflect upon my take-aways. Firstly, the insights I have gained from the industry experts who hosted the course are immeasurable & were 100% relevant to my daily role. Secondly, the confidence I have gained in tackling important tasks where I have learned techniques to demonstrate the application and value of the RCSA. A big part of the benefit of this course to me was the ability to share experiences and learn from others - this course has this in bucket loads! Thanks to everyone involved, hosts, speakers & attendees for making this such an enjoyable & relevant course.

I recently had the privilege of attending the MLRO Accelerator course, and I cannot express how enriching and valuable the experience has been. This program has truly set a new standard for professional development in the field of Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) responsibilities and compliance.

The course was expertly curated, covering a comprehensive range of topics vital for MLROs in today's dynamic regulatory landscape. From the very start, the instructors demonstrated a deep understanding of the subject matter, and their ability to communicate complex concepts in an accessible manner made the learning process highly engaging.

Here are some standout features that I believe make the MLRO Accelerator course exceptional - Relevance and Currency, Practical Application, Industry Experts as Instructors, Interactive Learning Environment, Comprehensive Resource Materials, Networking Opportunities, Supportive Learning Platform.

The MLRO Accelerator course exceeded my expectations, providing a well-rounded, up-to-date, and practical foundation for anyone involved in or aspiring to take on MLRO responsibilities. I wholeheartedly recommend this course to professionals in the field seeking to enhance their expertise and stay at the forefront of AML compliance.

Kudos to Lee and the team and instructors for delivering an outstanding learning experience. I look forward to applying the knowledge and skills gained to further contribute to the effectiveness of our organization's anti-money laundering efforts.

Excellent course covering topics that go beyond the financial crime role typical for an MLRO. Great way to cover continual personal development. Wide range of presenters and plenty of scope for questions and discussion. Highly recommended for financial crime and other professionals. 5 stars.

The MLRO course is amazing. The trainers and speakers are so knowledgeable. The entire course is insightful and very hands on. It focusses more on practically.

I had the opportunity to attend a training course this year and I must say, it was an incredibly valuable experience. The course was well-organized and informative. The instructor Mr. Lee Byrne was highly knowledgeable and engaging, making the material easy to understand and apply. The course covered a wide range of topics and provided practical examples and exercises that allowed me to apply what I was learning in real-life scenarios. The course also included interactive discussions and group activities, which not only made the learning process more enjoyable, but also allowed me to learn from my peers. It was a truly enriching experience, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have attended it.

Great course on how to use the web effectively to perform enhanced customer due diligence, investigate high risk individuals and businesses and PEPs.

This is a must for all AML staff as you learn new ways and online tools that can be used to verify individuals and companies online. You also get practical templates you can use in your day to day job.

On completion of the course you get a Certificate from the University of Gloucester.

TMAP - Having attended a number of different courses as an MLRO, this programme blows the rest away!! I can read the textbooks - what I need is practical examples that I can use to ensure I have implemented an effective MLRO framework. This course gives it by the bucket load by a global team of thought leaders who have done the MLRO job. I cannot recommend it highly enough - MLRO at a Fintech